Getting a CPAP has been a disaster.  

It took over 3 weeks to get the prescription for the machine.  Then there was the problem with the DME supplier coming to the house - a big no for me.  They want to install it in the bedroom!  Never mind that my husband needs to be able to set up and take down the machine regularly. After much arguing, I finally got it set up for their office, since that is closer to our work anyway.
Then I got grief because we didn't have a nightstand and they said that the floor was too low and the dust under the bed could interfere with the machine.  (I dust regularly, there is no ambient dust.)
Then I was chastised because the house is "too cold" for the machine.  (Last I checked, it pushed air and possibly water.  What does temperature matter?)
I asked about different headgear/masks/pillows and was told that he got what they gave him.  This seemed wrong considering what I have read about fit issues.
Then I was told that we cannot have the lighter weight, more compact machine that will fit in a carry-on bag because it isn't covered by insurance.  Considering insurance is barely only paying for a portion anyway, I said I didn't care.  If we were getting this, I wanted one that he would actually carry not collect dust.  They still wouldn't give us the doctor-approved smaller machine.  
Then I asked about batteries and smart cards, since we need the first and the doctor requested the second.  
I asked about carrying cases and a manual - they said we didn't need those.
I asked about adjusting to altitude and was told that we can't do that.  An airplane pressurizes for 6000ft, so why wouldn't we need to adjust for alt?
In the end, I gave up, we left.  There must be a better way.

I'm going to try to find a different DME provider, take another day off from work, and do this again.  My spouse thinks I'm just being difficult.  I feel bad.  We were inches from a machine, but I walked out.  I don't wish my spouse dead, but we've been married for a decade, he's had OSA the whole time, and just now bothered to get tested and treated.  If he didn't die in the intervening years, why would he die now?

Has anyone else been through headaches with the DME provider?  Should I just take what they give and nevermind the data, portability, altitude, fit, and other issues?

I fired the first DME provider, also.  They misled us into believing that our insurance wouldn't purchase the cpap that we requested.  It does.  

The second DME didn't need to come to the house for a set up, exchanged my mask 3 times, and called to ask if all was well.  

It can get better with a good DME.


_________________
Dianne's: Remstar Auto M, C-flex, humidifier, smart card. Mask: Swift LT, AHI- 23, lowest blood ox 80%.

John's: Same cpap, Mask: Respironics Profile-lite mask.
severe apnea, Cpap user for more than 20 years.

Dianne wrote:

I fired the first DME provider, also.  They misled us into believing that our insurance wouldn't purchase the cpap that we requested.  It does.  

The second DME didn't need to come to the house for a set up, exchanged my mask 3 times, and called to ask if all was well.  

It can get better with a good DME.

I'm on my third DME providor.  I think it helps to let them know who your previous providors were, too.  It lets them know you'll walk if not happy and they won't see a dime of you or your insurance's money.  My current providor let me try on masks for an hour just to satisfy myself that I can't do better than my current one.


_________________
Sleepy Dragon

Treatment since 11-July-2008
Mode/Pressure = CPAP @ 19 cmH2O
Machine = ResMed VPAP III w/ heated humidifier
Mask = ResMed Mirage Liberty full face

"I would kill for a good night's sleep!"

All DME's are equal, some more equal than others.

I've been fortunate after reading some of the horror stories on this board, that I have a very accommodating one that will work with me and even get my doctor to write scrips when I wanted to try a different mask.

No, you are not being difficult. You were asking the questions you should have been asking.  He was being difficult.  

As for the cold bedroom, some of us like cool bedrooms or live in cold climates so we buy hose covers that keep the vapor from cooling before it reaches your nose.  There is something to that.  Many people like and need a heated humidifier, some get along well without it.  You can only determine your preference when you've tried it for a while.

My first two masks were selected by my DME and neither was a good fit.  You should not have to take anything you have not tried on and tested with a machine at the supplier or at your home and still you may find problems with it later.  Some are lucky with the first one or two selected, others, like me, had to try many before finding the right one.

Not need a manual?  Was he kidding?  Of course you do.

Adjusting your altitude, if you travel, have homes in different locations with varying altitudes - yes, you should be able to do that.  What you need is a data capable machine and one you can adjust as to altitude, mask style. exhalation preferences, and humidifier settings.  This is CPAP 101.  Just try doing these adjustments without a manual.

As for putting the CPAP on the floor that is one of the best places as it has to be lower than your mattress.  Some put them in a night stand drawer.  I have had mine right next to bed on one of those covered plastic shoe boxes for almost two years which keeps it a the perfect height to be lower than my mattress but not actually resting on carpet or hardwood floor.  If you have carpet or hardwood the heating plate on the humidifier could conceivably cause damage.

Yes, by all means find another DME.  Some are very willing to show you and work with you in learning how to use the machine and yet some are very reluctant to let the person using it have any control over the settings.  There have been many threads on this forum regarding this.  Doctors are afraid we will fiddle with what they prescribe for us and keep much of the adjustment abilities away from us.  Anybody with their personal health at issue would be hesitant to do thisl  If you think you need a change of setting, you discuss it with your doctor, never make any critical changes such as pressure, on your own.  As for a ramp time, mask, humidifier, altitude or exhalation settings, as examples, you should be able to do this on your own.


_________________
ResMed S8 Elite, F&P Flexifit 406, Optilife
AHI 54/hr, Pressure 10, desat. 73

my first DME did not supply a manual, so I had to download one off the Resmed website.  they should just realise that we can do that, so we can find out how to change the settings anyway.  for DMEs like this, their thinking seems to be stuck in the pre-internet age, and they also seem to treat us like children.  yes, there is an imbalance of technical knowledge or awareness, initially.  it doesn't take long for an interested CPAP user to tip the scales enough to get by.

i think it was my manual that said it's fine to put the machine on the floor, and the recommendation was to place it on a towel.  mine sits on a sturdy decor storage box that's about half the height of my bed.  it also makes it easy to roll over and see the display.  i had to do this to help avoid rainout.  the corner of my room does seem to harbour any dust that's going, so i just take extra care to keep the whole area regularly vacuumed.  i've had a look at the filter and that thing is pretty solid too

my second and current DME is also my 'HMO' - sleep doctor, sleep lab, and DME all in one.  my physiologist analyses the data, liaises with my doctor between appointments, fits my masks and supplies my equipment.  this setup has pros and cons, right now i'm seeing more pros, which is great.  my phys. looked concerned when i said i knew how to change my pressure... i quickly added that i knew why i shouldn;t, and i promised i wouldn't without her approval (which includes the doctor's approval).  also, i noted to her that i knew she would be able to see whenever i had done it, so that was an incentive not to do it.  she was quite pleased about all that!  i have found that it pays to build up credibility with your health professionals as they give you more leeway.  anyway, i said to her that really if the manufacturers made it significantly harder to change the pressure that might be better for patients and she agreed.  i think this could be done with 16 or 24 digit codes, like the ones used in software registration or network security. JM2CW as an IT non-professional.


_________________
"Attitude is a little word that makes a big difference" - Winston S Churchill
Machine: Respironics M Series Pro, 17cm
Mask 1: Respironics Comfortgel nasal
Mask 2: Resmed Quattro full face
37yo female, New Zealand, Mixed SA, AHI 45

phiguru, many, if not most, machines adjust automatically for elevation.

My husband's machine is on one of those little Rubbermaid stools and used to be on the floor until we had to raise the bed so he could get up from it more easily.  When we travel, it goes on the floor.  The one time we had it when we travelled in our trailer it was on the floor and it also endured some cold nights on which my husband had to turn down the humidifier.

My first DME was the preferred vender of the clinic/hospital/sleep center where I had my sleep study.  The hospital respiratory therapist answered only to the DME. Dealing with him and his DME cohorts was the worst experience of my life. He as much as told me he didn't like my attitude when I tried to ask questions and get help with my leaky mask. He told me to take sleep meds and wine and I wouldn't notice the leaks!  The DME gave me the ResMed Escape which is not data capable. I hadn't done my homework, didn't know what was available, so I am stuck with it until it dies.  It works fine but I have to rent or borrow a data capable machine to find out if I am having apneas.   A lady from their office YELLED at me when I said a ResMed Elite would give me data such as leaks and number of Apneas and hypopneas and that a nurse at the ResMed company had told me about it as well as people on the forum.  They told me I had no business getting information from a forum. She called ResMed to prove me wrong and then called me back to admit I was right. I fired that RT/DME and found another one my insurance company will work with.  My doctor was fine with it. I will NOT see either the RT at the sleep center or anyone from that first DME when I have issues. I have always gotten along with all my doctors/dentists, physical therapist but the RT and the people at the DME made me feel like a Problem Patient. It got so I would practically hyperventilate if I had to see or talk to one of them.  When I finally told my Dr. I was going to another DME, he was fine with it. Actually he wasn't even surprised.

You do not need to put up with that kind of ignorance and rudeness.  You are right to demand the more portable machine. I thought all xPAPs came with a carrying case.  I think even my Escape has altitude adjustment capabilities. Your husband is the one who has to live with it, not the DME. What you are asking for is NOT unreasonable. Don't settle for less. Since it sounds like you are paying for most of the gear, they have no business telling you what you can and can't have. I am appalled that they would not even consider different masks. You need to run, not walk, away from that DME.

Good luck.
Grandma


_________________
ResMed Quattro Full Face Mask
ResMed S8 Escape with heated humidifier
Pressure set at 11

Our first provider was a riot. She talked so much that we couldn't ask many questions. She was upbeat but flaky as anything. The good thing is she gave us that RESMED piece of trash, so when spouse went to exchange it he got to work with someone else who has sleep apnea AND was really informative. I guess the lesson learned si that even within offices, it will depend on the person more than the rules. Nancy

Our first provider was a riot. She talked so much that we couldn't ask many questions. She was upbeat but flaky as anything. The good thing is she gave us that RESMED piece of trash, so when spouse went to exchange it he got to work with someone else who has sleep apnea AND was really informative. I guess the lesson learned si that even within offices, it will depend on the person more than the rules. Nancy